Touch of brass at Derby Theatre

The hugely popular Brassed Off is to be Derby Theatre’s major production for the autumn.

Paul Allen’s adaptation of the bold and brilliant film Brassed Off can be seen from Friday, September 18, until Saturday, October 10.

Brassed Off is a much-loved tale full of heart and humour.

Based on a true story and the 1996 smash-hit film, which featured Pete Postlethwaite and Stephen Tompkinson, this heart-warming and hilarious tale and stage adaptation features live music, including Jerusalem, Danny Boy and Land of Hope and Glory, and is full of Northern wit, grit - and a bit of grime from the Grimley Colliery!

It’s 1992 and the miners are striking (again) as the local colliery faces closure. Danny Ormondroyd dreams of leading the pit’s brass band to victory at a national competition at the Albert Hall seem remote as the men choose between picket lines and redundancy packages.

But when flugelhorn-playing Gloria returns to her home town, the band get their oompah back and romance is rekindled with her childhood sweetheart Andy.

However, when the real reason for Gloria’s return is revealed and the pressures of the strike get too much for the band members, things start to fall out of tune...

Director Sarah Brigham said: “I’m delighted to be bringing another heart-warming drama with true grit and integrity to our stage - it’s a fantastic story that speaks to our community and our history and I hope audiences will enjoy seeing this well-known film on stage with all the glory of a brass band live.”

Balancing Northern wit with a poignant look at recent history, the performance also features live music from local brass bands.

Tickets are £9.50 - £25.50. For more information and to book tickets call the box office on 01332 593939.

n Derby Theatre is delighted to announce that Jake Waring is the second recipient of The Brian Weaver Fellowship.

The Brian Weaver Fellowship was first launched in December 2013, the result of a generous personal donation from Buxton resident, Doreen Weaver, in memory of her late husband, Brian.

With Brian’s involvement in, and lifelong passion for the arts, coupled with the sad fact that he was unable to fulfil a full time professional career as an actor due to financial constraints, Doreen dearly wanted the Fellowship to be a legacy for Brian and his love of theatre.

Therefore, the Fellowship was launched to provide an aspiring local actor with the opportunity of professional paid work, invaluable experience in theatre and other exciting opportunities at, and associated with, Derby Theatre.

Due to the success of the first year of the Fellowship, which saw first year recipient Adam Horvath appear in two professional productions at Derby Theatre, Doreen was incredibly impressed and inspired and had no hesitation in donating for a second year.

As a result, the Fellowship was re-launched for a second year in December. Once again for this year, potential recipients for the Fellowship were shortlisted and then Jake, along with 15 other hopefuls, were auditioned and interviewed. At the end of a tough decision-making process, Jake was then selected as the second recipient.

Jake was born in Chesterfield and lived in Whatstandwell and Holloway. He was a member of Derby Playhouse Youth Theatre, Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company and The National Youth Theatre. He trained at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and since graduating he has helped to form Engineer Theatre Collective and devised and performed in Missing, anaward-winning show at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Being the second recipient of The Brian Weaver Fellowship will now open up a lot more exciting opportunities for Jake, as it did so for Adam.

He will perform in two professional productions at Derby Theatre in 2015 and will be on a full time professional actor’s wage.

He will also be provided with some professional mentoring.

Jake Waring said: “I want to say a huge thank you to Doreen Weaver, Sarah Brigham and all at Derby Theatre for giving me this incredible opportunity. I’m so excited about what the year will bring, what I will learn and the amazing people I will meet and work with. All in my beloved home town as well! It means such a lot and I’m absolutely chuffed!”

Doreen Weaver said: “I was delighted to be able to attend this year’s Fellowship auditions. It is great that Derby Theatre is able to attract so many talented young actors. Following Adam’s inspiring year as the very first Fellow, Jake Waring was chosen as the successful actor to appear in two productions this year. I wish him every success and look forward to following his progress.”

Sarah Brigham, artistic director at Derby Theatre, added: “I’m delighted that through the Brian Weaver Fellowship we will be supporting Jake Waring to help develop his art and his career and I’m thrilled that, through Doreen’s ongoing generosity, we are able to offer this Fellowship for a second year to an aspiring actor from our region. Jake’s talent and determination shone through at the auditions and we very much look forward to offering him the mentorship, paid acting work and the platform to perform in two Derby Theatre main stage shows over this next year.”